School accountability bill may be dead for year

Jan. 29, 2014

Luther Olsen / Post-Crescent Media, file

Written by

The Associated Press

MADISON — The chairman of the Wisconsin state Senate Education Committee has canceled a planned vote on a bill that would force poor-performing public schools in Wisconsin to close or reopen as charter schools.

Republican Sen. Luther Olsen said Wednesday he does not have the votes in committee to pass the bill that reworks the school report card to give schools letter grades and incorporate students attending private schools using taxpayer funded vouchers.

Olsen says does not know if the bill will return this year.

Olsen says he is trying to work with more conservative Republicans who want additional changes, as well as voucher school advocates, private school representatives and public school backers who all want to see modifications.